Ahead of Tuesday’s game against Denver, Kings head coach Doug Christie spoke to reporters for about two-and-a-half minutes without taking any questions, acknowledging his team’s early-season struggles while insisting that the organization is “aligned in what we’re doing” and vowing that the club will “get it right,” per The Associated Press.
“Change is hard,” Christie said (YouTube link via KCRA 3). “It’s hard. But understand — and we understand — that we’re not there yet. But we’re about to work at it like crazy. We totally get that. And it will be bumpy. It will, because change is like that. But buckle up. For the real ones, buckle up.
“… When I see the hate, the haters, the fakers — all you guys, you keep that energy,” Christie continued. “That’s good. You keep that. And you know who you are because while you’re doing that, we’re gonna be working. And while you’re doing that, we’re gonna be growing. And while you do that, eventually, we’re gonna be coming — the Kings Show. Sac proud, know that.”
Christie spoke during his pregame session about prioritizing defending, rebounding, and sharing the basketball, but the team hasn’t done any of those things especially well yet this season. Sacramento ranks 27th in the NBA in defensive rating (120.4), 29th in rebounding percentage (47.0%), and 14th in assist percentage (62.6%).
After losing on Tuesday to the Nuggets, the Kings hold a 3-8 record, including a 2-4 mark at home.
Here’s more on the Kings:
- As the AP’s report notes, Christie’s pregame remarks on Tuesday may have been in response to a rumor that circulated earlier in the day about the team’s willingness to shop stars Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan. That rumor appears to have originated from plugged-in local radio reporter Carmichael Dave (Twitter links). While it’s unclear if it was hard reporting or informed speculation, Dave suggested on Tuesday that the Kings are preparing to launch a full-fledged rebuild and intend to begin reshaping their roster next month when trade season unofficially opens.
- The Kings’ bench outscored Denver’s by 23 points on Tuesday, but Sacramento’s starters were outscored by 37 points, notes Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. Offseason addition Dennis Schröder continues to struggle — after a scoreless outing vs. Denver, he’s now shooting 38.3% from the floor (27.7% on three-pointers) this season, including 1-of-19 in his past three games.
- Asked after Tuesday’s loss if he’s weighing a starting lineup change at point guard or another position, Christie said the team is “considering everything,” per Anderson. “This is about us playing at a high level,” the Kings’ coach said. “Twenty-four minutes tonight, maybe 30. It’s not enough. We need a 48-minute effort to win in this league, especially against a team like that. That’s a team that’s a championship-level team. You can’t play for small stretches. (The effort was) better, but nobody’s checking for participation trophies.”
- Subbing in Russell Westbrook for Schröder is one option Christie figures to evaluate, according to Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee. As Biderman points out, some of the Kings’ starters – who have historically been very productive offensive players – haven’t been playing up to their usual standards, but Christie is more concerned about the team’s performance on the other end of the court. “Offense? Ain’t nobody talking about offense,” he said when asked about that subject on Tuesday. “(We only scored) 108 (vs. Denver), but on most nights we’re scoring enough points. It ain’t about the offense. There’s a lot of people that can score the basketball. If we want to win, we need to focus on the defense, period. Offense — make some shots. You make and miss shots. I get that. There’s timing and different things. But I don’t want to hear about no offense.”
The “haters” are just the consumers of the product the Kings are putting out. They SHOULD continue working, since thats the job they’re paid to do.
Christie out here with some heavy hitting tough guy sound byte platitudes. The process they have (including from the coaching staff) isn’t going to lead to results. They have no front court, no defense, and Westbrook stat padding through every loss to a competent team/organization.
The haters are the Kings fans lol. Nobody else cares about this team enough the be labeled as a hater.
What’s Not to Hate ?? You like what you are seeing, Then Y O U are the problem !! The Owner Sucks, The GM Sucks, this Team absolutely Refuses to play any Defense, No Rebounding and What, You want us to jump up and down for joy ?? Ain’t happening, Period !! You can call us what you want, but I watched them roll up into Arco Arena back in 85, and how many championships have we won since then. Answer : Z E R O !! And Only a handful of Playoffs during all that time. This currently is the most unbalanced Roster there is. AND a GM that refuses to do anything !! Enough Said !! Nothing will change, because all they know is they are getting their money for this loser of a team, and the Fans are the ones paying for this !! They are laughing at you all the way to the bank !!
I do Not blame Christie. He can Only work with what is given to him !! But do Not expect us to be Happy with what we are seeing. Every one of the Losses were Blow Outs, not even close !!
Calm down boss. If you’ve payed attention I’ve preached this prophecy for a while lmao
When I first read Christie’s quote, the club will “get it right”, I briefly wondered — maybe he’s found a way to convince Ranadive to sell the team. Then I woke up and realized that Sacramento’s endless dysfunction will continue…..
I wonder if Christie’s tenure will last the entire season.
Christie has been put in a very tough spot. He’s essentially being used as a human shield for Vivek during this disaster of a transition. He’s been handed a team of players that don’t work well together and has been told that it’s okay because they want to lose.
Meanwhile, Christie knows that at some point very soon he will be fired and labeled as the reason why the team wasn’t competitive (even though we all know why this pathetic roster isn’t competitive) and then he’ll be done coaching in the NBA. His only real chance at staying a head coach is to have this pile of scraps and throw aways do well enough that some other team can justify giving him a shot. That hasn’t been the case so far. That’s not going to change.
So now the young guys suffer because of all of this. Which is ironically what’s actually going to kill this team’s hopes of having a winning record in the next 5 years.
Yeah I mean part of the problem is that Christie doesn’t actually coach. He’s just a cheerleader.
Vivek wants a brand ambassador, so rah rah speeches like this are the main reason Christie still has a job. Any coach who is actually going ruffle feathers holding anyone accountable (like a Michael Malone) is going to be deemed too annoying to work with.
Guy from the Sac media thinks that moving DDR might open things up but I don’t see how they can move him w/o including a pick. Teams are much more careful about their payroll situations now. And they’d be nuts to give up their 1st this yr.
They should wait till Keegan gets back and let Ellis take on a bigger role. Also Schroder has been in a bad shooting patch. He’ll pick it up. Kings are better than this.
Demar might be the worst example you could’ve brought up as his contract is not fully guaranteed next season
Doesn’t change the fact that no one is likely to trade for DDR.
Kings are trash. Move them to Vegas and maybe things will improve.
The city of Sacramento isn’t making roster decisions. In fact, the city continues to pay California prices on tickets to fill the building every home game just to torment themselves.
The franchise needs a new owner, not a new arena.